Study in Philippines or just stay here?

k_new_rn · Jul 10, 2006

I am assuming that you are citizen/green card holder so you can go back in the US without a problem. Right? Bcz if not, this will be a whole different argument.

I believe it does not really matter where you took the nursing degree. But there was this strange thing i found out when i took Kaplan review. There was a clause in the contract here in California that in order to get a 100% refund if you fail the NCLEX-RN == First, you need to complete, attended all the Kaplan sessions, Second, you must be a first time taker, and Third, u must have graduated within 6 months from a school accredited by NLN or CCNE (National League of Nursing and Commision on Collegiate Nursing Education). In other words, an accredited US school.

If you graduated from the Philippines, there is no 100% refund policy. You can take the course again for 50% off though.

My point is, why would Kaplan put such clause for reviewers if they don't perceive a difference in the nursing education? If one is taking the same review, graduated with the a nursing degree accepted by the BON for the NCLEX-RN, it should not affect the result, right?

See this link too:

http://ncsbn.org/pdfs/NCLEX_Stats_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Based on the above NCSBN stat, the passing rate for US educated examinee is 82%, internationally educated is 48.5%. Please bear in mind that a lot of factors affect these data.

Kaplan also points out some factors that you may want to consider: There are several reasons for the low pass rates for nurses educated in programs outside the US.

Nursing educational curricula abroad are significantly different from what is provided in the US and varies greatly from country to country.
NCLEX-RN® test-takers are required to utilize critical thinking skills to correctly answer application-and-analysis-level questions on the exam. This type of reasoning is not usually taught in nursing schools outside the US.
The NCLEX-RN® exam mainly consists of multiple-choice questions, which are not used in most international nursing programs. Multiple-choice testing is a concern for many international nurses.
Questions on the NCLEX-RN® exam reflect American values and norms. It is difficult for international nurses to recognize these cultural themes and understand how they influence decision-making and nursing care in the US.
English is often a second language for international nurses and impacts how they respond to nursing questions.

These are information that may be useful in your decision making.

I, personally, still hold my first statement true. It really does not matter where you got the nursing degree. I strong believe it depends on the person. I have met a lot of nurses who graduated in the Philippines and are working here and I don't see any difference at all compared to ones who graduated here. If you are motivated to become a nurse, it should not matter.

Goodluck. :roll

narcissistic · Jul 12, 2006

Thank you. And yes, I'm a US citizen. So I guess studying abroad has more challenges, eh? I suppose sticking in here would be the sensible thing to do.

sunnyjohn · Jul 12, 2006

Thank you. And yes, I'm a US citizen. So I guess studying abroad has more challenges, eh? I suppose sticking in here would be the sensible thing to do.

I think Filipino nurses are wonderful, they taught me everything I know about scrubbing and working in the OR.

Still, I think you should stay in the States for your education. Why make it more difficult? Many would be happy to be in your shoes.

Getting A's in college is not about being smart. It's about studying hard and doing the extra assignments. I know lots of smart people who did terribly in college because they did not study or put in the effort. Average intelligence and common sense are usually enough to pull anyone through.

I don't know your situation but if the waitlists in your state or town are long, you might consider moving. Not every states have colleges with pre-nursing student waitlists.

You sound like one willing to sacrifice, if you are willing to go to the back to the Philippines and study consider moving temporarily to another state.

Good luck and Good fortune to you.

narcissistic · Jul 13, 2006

I think Filipino nurses are wonderful, they taught me everything I know about scrubbing and working in the OR.
Still, I think you should stay in the States for your education. Why make it more difficult? Many would be happy to be in your shoes.
Getting A's in college is not about being smart. It's about studying hard and doing the extra assignments. I know lots of smart people who did terribly in college because they did not study or put in the effort. Average intelligence and common sense are usually enough to pull anyone through.
I don't know your situation but if the waitlists in your state or town are long, you might consider moving. Not every states have colleges with pre-nursing student waitlists.
You sound like one willing to sacrifice, if you are willing to go to the back to the Philippines and study consider moving temporarily to another state.
Good luck and Good fortune to you.

Thanks for the advice. My college (community) offers an Associate's Degree in Registered Nursing (and since I heard ADN and BSN RNs have equal pay, why bother going for four year when you get paid same amount for two year, right?) and it doesn't maintain a waiting list. Instead, they pick those with high GPAs. Meaning for the following classes: A&P 101 & 102, Math96, English 101, Biochem, I need to have all A's. That makes me nervous since they only accept 24 students for the Spring semester, and 12 in the fall. I'm considering going to four year since they don't require straight A's (right?).